Your toilet should not be making noise, so chances are you have a problem if you hear a humming, hissing, or other noises. Toto toilets are durable, reliable, and quality; However, that doesn’t make them immune to problems, so it’s understandable to ask, why is my Toto toilet making noise?
Your Toto toilet is making noise due to different reasons such as a faulty fill valve, damaged drainpipes, loose parts, water hammer, and worn-out flapper. In addition, this problem can also be caused by a malfunctioning handle, broken suction valve, and calcification.
To stop your Toto from being noisy, you must find the source of the issue. So, let’s explore the different causes and fixes.
Why Is My Toto Toilet Making Noise? (Causes & Fixes!)
| Problem | Possible Causes | Recommended Fixes | |
| 1. | A Faulty Fill Valve | Debris buildup Improper installation Wear and tear Manufacturer defects | Clean the fill valve with water and vinegar solution and a smooth brush Reinstall or replace the fill valve |
| 2. | Damaged Drainpipes | Clogging Wear and tear Corrosion | Unclog the pipes Patch minor damage Reline the drain pipes Replace drain pipes |
| 3. | Water Hammer | Faulty fill valve High water pressure Loose fittings or pipes clogs | Regulate water pressure Remove obstructions Install a water hammer arrestor Install an air chamber |
| 4. | Loose Parts | Loose tank parts like the fill valve, chain, or flapper | Tighten any loose parts |
| 5. | Worn Out Flapper | Wear and tear cause the loss of the seal | Install a new flapper |
| 6. | Calcification | Accumulation of mineral deposits | Remove the mineral deposits with high-power water or high-power steam |
| 7. | Broken Suction Valve | Wear and tear | Replace the suction valve |
| 8. | Malfunctioning Handle | The handle is loose or damaged | Tighten, repair, or replace it |
1. A Faulty Fill Valve
Your toilet’s fill valve ensures the tank is refilled after each flush, shutting off once the tank is full. However, it might not shut off entirely if it’s malfunctioning, thus letting water keep flowing down even once the tank is full, resulting in a constant whistling or hissing sound.
Moreover, a faulty fill valve can also cause the water level inside the tank to be too high. Therefore, leading to a loud splashing noise as the water spills into the overflow tube.
A fill valve can malfunction for different reasons, such as wear and tear, manufacturer defects, debris buildup, and improper installation.
Fix
- Clean the tank and fill valve using a vinegar and water mixture and a soft brush to remove debris buildup.
- Also, reinstall the fill valve to correct an improper installation.
- Replace a defective or old fill valve.
2. Damaged Drain Pipes
Malfunctioning drain pipes can also make your Toto toilet noisy by letting air into them, creating a bubbling or gurgling sound as water flows through them. A negative pressure is developed when water flows through the drain pipes, causing air to be pulled into the pipes through cracks or holes.
Consequently, this air mixes with the water, creating the gurgling or bubbling noise you may hear. Additionally, water flows at a reduced speed inside damaged drain pipes, causing your Toto toilet to produce a gurgling sound as it attempts to pull water through the pipes.
Damages to drain pipes can be caused by clogs from waste or tiny metal or plastic objects. It can also be caused by corrosion due to exposure to harsh chemicals like leaving Drano sitting for too long or using it frequently.
Moreover, drain pipes will eventually give in to wear and tear after extended use, which makes them brittle and susceptible to breaking or cracking.
Fix
- Clear the drain pipes– Remove the obstructions in your drain pipes with a putty knife, plunger, or plumber’s snake. Moreover, hydro jetting can help remove debris.
- Patching– you can patch the damaged section using pipe repair tape or a sealant if the affected area is minor or confined.
- Relining– relining the pipes may be a better option for extensive damage. It entails inserting a new pipe into the damaged one, which you can do without excavation.
- Replacement– you will likely need to replace the whole pipe section when dealing with severe damage or deterioration. Although this solution will cost you more, it others but offers long-lasting results.
3. Water Hammer
If you hear a loud hammering or banging noise inside the pipes, it could be a water hammer. This is a form of hydraulic shock wave that occurs when the water flow in the plumbing system is suddenly stopped.
Besides the hammering noise, water hammer can also make your toilet shake or vibrate. Moreover, this issue can be disruptive and damaging over time.
If you are experiencing a water hammer, address it promptly to prevent damage and noise. However, before that, let’s examine the causes.
i) A Faulty Fill Valve
A water hammer can happen if a faulty fill valve causes water to be released too quickly.
ii) High Water Pressure
Also, water can also flow too quickly if the pressure is too high, causing a water hammer.
iii) Clogs or Blockages
This issue can also be traced to clogs or blockages inside your toilet’s plumbing system. This is because obstructions cause irregular water flow leading to a water hammer.
iv) Loose Pipes or Fittings
Loose pipes or fittings in the toilet’s plumbing system can also cause vibrations, causing water hammer.
Fix
Follow these steps to fix a water hammer.
- Find the Water Hammer
Before fixing this issue, locate the water hammer first. The water hammer sound is usually loudest at the spot where water enters your home or near the shut-off valve.
- Measure The Water Pressure
You can attach a pressure gauge to a faucet to measure the water pressure then install a pressure-reducing valve to lower high-water pressure.
- Fix Loose Pipes
Examine your plumbing system for loose pipes then fix them with pipe straps or hangers.
- Install An Air Chamber
This vertical pipe is installed near the shut-off valve or the problem area to cushion and absorb shock waves created by sudden water flow stoppage. Install an air chamber by temporarily stopping the primary water supply, draining the pipes, then installing the vertical pipe.
- Install A Water Hammer Arrestor
These devices are designed to absorb the shock waves caused by the sudden water flow stoppage. Like an air chamber, you can install it near the shut-off valve or where the water goes into your house. However, before installation, stop the water flow and drain the pipes.
4. Loose Parts
If your Toto toilet produces a clanking or rattling noise when you flush, some components inside the tank such as the fill valve, chain, or flapper may have come loose.
On the one hand, a loose fill valve produces a hissing noise, while a loose flapper valve produces a gurgling noise. On the other hand, if the mounting bolts keeping your toilet attached to the floor come loose, it can generate a rattling noise.
Fix
Examine your toilet tank for any loose parts, then tighten them but don’t overtighten them to avoid damaging them. Moreover, if the mounting bolts are worn out, replace them.
5. Worn-Out Flapper
A faulty flapper can make your toilet produce different noises, such as running water, refilling sounds, and ghost flushing. These noises occur when the flapper stops providing a proper seal.
Fix
Replacing the flapper in your Toto toilet will help eliminate the noises.
6. Calcification
Calcification refers to when mineral deposits such as lime and calcium buildup inside a toilet’s plumbing system. It occurs when hard water, typically with high dissolved mineral levels, flows through your plumbing system.
Consequently, the water leaves behind mineral deposits once it evaporates, accumulating over time. The deposits can create a hard-to-remove, tough, crusty buildup that can lead to various plumbing problems.
For instance, calcification narrows the pipes lowering the flow rate, thus restricting water flow and producing noise as water struggles to pass through. Moreover, the mineral deposits can also cause partial clogs, leaks, and corrosion and impair the flapper’s ability to form a proper seal.
In addition, the fill valve can malfunction due to calcification making the water run continuously and your toilet noisy.
You can prevent calcification by regularly cleaning your pipes and fixture using a mild acidic solution. Additionally, lower the water hardness by installing a water softener.
Fix
You can break the mineral deposits inside your pipes using high-power water. However, do not use excessive pressure because that may cause your pipes to break or crack.
Alternatively, high-power steam softens the mineral deposits, allowing them to flow effortlessly from the pipes.
7. Broken Suction Valve
Standard toilets don’t have suction valves because they remove waste from the bowl to the drain pipes using water pressure and gravity. However, some pressure-assisted toilets regulate water flow into the tank or pressure vessel using a suction valve.
A malfunctioning suction valve or one stuck open may cause your Toto pressure-assisted toilet to run continuously. Additionally, a worn-out suction valve may fail to create the proper vacuum in the pressure vessel, resulting in weak or incomplete flushes and, in turn, noisy operation.
Sometimes, the pressure vessel may overheat from a broken suction valve, resulting in noise. If the pressure vessel becomes too hot, it may warp or damage, leading to leaks or other issues and causing water to spray or leak out, creating a loud, hissing, or gurgling noise.
Fix
If you have the necessary skills, install a new suction valve. However, since this can be complex, consider hiring an experienced plumber.
8. Malfunctioning Handle
A malfunctioning toilet handle causes various problems, like making the toilet handle hard to press down. Moreover, it can cause the fill valve to also malfunction by keeping it from lifting when you press the toilet handle, resulting in an incomplete or weak flush.
Additionally, the fill valve may continue running, as it is not receiving the proper signal to shut off, resulting in a noisy, hissing sound as water fills the tank. A loose or damaged handle can also cause the flapper to become misaligned, leading to water leaks and further noise.
Fix
You can either tighten, repair, or replace the toilet handle.
Summary Of Why Is My Toto Toilet Making Noise?
I hope you can now troubleshoot your noisy Toto toilet and fix the issue by focusing on the causes. Once you rectify the issue, you can have your quiet toilet back.
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